Jonah, Man Overboard. Disobedience; Is costly not only for the person disobeying but for others as well. It is the fuel for the devil's fire. It drives us further from God and deeper in destruction. It is a slippery slope that starts us running from God. Hatred divides and reveals our hardened heart. Running from God; You cannot seek God's love and run from Him at the same time. Even when Jonah wasn't physically running from God, he was still resisting on the inside. Focusing on fear instead of faith drives us away from God. When we stop running, God can even use our past mistakes to help others see His mercy. Repentance; Jonah had an awakening. God gave him a second chance. God is patient with sinners and His servants for a season. Jonah changed his heart and it changed his course. If we will obey God, He will direct our steps. Returning to God; The purpose of God's judgment is correction not revenge. God revealed Himself through grace and forgiveness. God spared the sailors when they pleaded for mercy God save Jonah when prayed from the inside of the fish. God restored the people of Nineveh when they responded to Jonah's preaching. It's not our hearing God's word that please Him, but our responding obediently to His word. God saves all who call on His name by grace through faith. Jonah 1-4, Rom 10, Eph 2:8-9.
